RideThaMob: Ride and Control Any Mob in Minecraft
Minecraft servers thrive on creativity, and few plugins capture that spirit quite like RideThaMob. This clever Bukkit plugin turns the ordinary act of walking past a creeper or a sheep into an opportunity for airborne adventure. Instead of just watching mobs wander aimlessly, you can hop on their backs, steer them with WASD keys, and even take to the skies. Whether you want to race across the landscape on a pig or orchestrate a colorful sheep parade, RideThaMob opens up a playground of possibilities.
How the Plugin Works
The core mechanic is delightfully simple. Stand within ten blocks of any mob or another player, type /rtm in chat, and you will instantly mount that entity. No saddles, no taming—just pure, instant riding. Once you are seated, a handful of extra commands let you transform the experience. Typing /rtm control switches on direct steering, giving you full command of the creature’s movement using the standard WASD keys and the spacebar. Suddenly, that wandering zombie becomes your personal vehicle, responding to every input as if it were a horse.
Speed enthusiasts will love the /rtm speed toggle, which boosts your mount’s pace significantly. And for those who dream of flight, /rtm fly sends your mob soaring in the direction you are looking. Imagine riding a bat through a cave ceiling or piloting an enderman across the End—the plugin makes it all possible. One particularly whimsical feature is the Nyan mode, activated on a sheep with /rtm nyan. The sheep’s wool cycles through a rapid rainbow of colors, turning a simple ride into a dazzling light show.
Commands at Your Fingertips
RideThaMob keeps its command set compact but powerful. Here is the full list:
- /rtm – Mount the nearest rideable mob or player within range.
- /rtm control – Toggle WASD steering on or off.
- /rtm speed – Toggle increased movement speed.
- /rtm nyan – Activate the rainbow color cycle on a sheep.
- /rtm fly – Enable flight mode, directing the mob where you look.
- /rtm update – Check for and apply plugin updates (available from version 1.3.0).
Permissions for Server Admins
Server operators can fine-tune who gets to ride what using a detailed permission system. The plugin supports wildcard nodes, so you can grant broad access or restrict abilities to specific mobs and players. Below are the key permissions:
- ridethamob.mob.* – Allows riding all mobs.
- ridethamob.mob.sheep – Limits riding to a specific mob type (e.g., sheep).
- ridethamob.control – Enables the WASD control mode.
- ridethamob.player.* – Permits riding all players.
- ridethamob.player.MiniDigger – Restricts riding to a specific player by name.
- ridethamob.speed – Grants access to the speed boost.
- ridethamob.nyan – Unlocks Nyan mode for sheep.
- ridethamob.fly – Allows flight mode (introduced in version 1.3.2).
- ridethamob.updater – Lets a player use the in-game updater.
This granularity ensures that a survival server can keep riding as a fun reward while preventing chaos from uncontrolled dragon flights.
Installation and Compatibility
Getting RideThaMob running is a standard plugin installation: download the JAR file, place it in your server’s plugins folder, and restart. However, a common hiccup appears in the console as "[RideThaMob] WARINING:Failed to register the custom Entitys!" This warning means the WASD control feature will not work because the plugin is running on an incompatible Bukkit version. Always double-check that you are using the correct server build for your plugin version. If you need a specific release for an older server, the developer encourages reaching out directly.
For those who prefer a streamlined setup without manual file transfers, the foxygame.net launcher provides a modern and flexible way to manage plugins. Its menu-driven interface lets you browse, download, and install server add-ons in a few clicks, making it an excellent choice for both newcomers and seasoned admins who want to keep their server mods organized.
Why RideThaMob Adds Fun to Your Server
Beyond the sheer novelty of riding a creeper, RideThaMob injects a layer of interactive storytelling into Minecraft. Players can organize mounted races, create flying taxi services with tamed wolves, or stage sheep disco parties. The plugin’s lightweight design means it runs smoothly alongside other popular server tools, and the built-in auto-updater (which can be disabled in the config) keeps you current without hassle. Metrics collection is minimal and can be opted out of, respecting server privacy.
The ability to ride other players also opens up cooperative gameplay: a friend can carry you across a lava lake on their shoulders, or you can both mount the same ender dragon for a dramatic boss battle. With control, speed, and flight modes all toggled independently, every ride becomes a custom experience. RideThaMob proves that sometimes the simplest ideas—just hopping on a mob—can lead to the most memorable Minecraft moments.